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THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH and the DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.DOST.GOV.PH
VOL. 2 | NO. 40 November 23-30, 2014
Cong. Pernes hails resort expansion as big boost to Siquijor tourism by Rizalie Anding-Calibo SIQUIJOR, Dec 1 (PIA)—Lone congressional district representative “Doc” Marie Anne Pernes hailed the owners and management of Cocogrove Beach resort for its expansion saying, it’s a big boost to the island’s tourism industry and local economy. “It is Siquijor’s contribution, no matter how small, to the development of our country’s tourism sector towards meeting the growing demand for more accommodation facilities,” says Pernes in a keynote speech during the grand opening of its newest Casa Coco Villa and blessing and inauguration of the Coco Princess, an 80-seater yacht that will soon ply Siquijor-Dumaguete. Pernes said there is good reason to celebrate—and even better reason for great expectations citing that Siquijor is among the best destinations in region 7 for foreign and domestic tourists. In 2013, she cited that out of 2,138,861 domestic tourist arrivals in the region, 17,959 w e n t t o S i q u i j o r. C e b u h a d 1 , 4 3 9 , 2 4 7 ; Negros Oriental 401,696; and Bohol 279,959. Among foreign tourists, 15,472 visited Siquijor out of the 1,351,733 arrivals in Region 7, she stated. San Juan town, where Cocogrove is, of course is the number one destination in Siquijor with 10,979 foreign and 6,113 domestic tourists in 2013 that made it to rank 6th among the top ten municipalities in the region in terms of tourist arrivals, she also said. But while the island has some of the best natural wonders in the country, Pernes noted that if we go by the numbers, tourist arrivals in Siquijor account for just about one percent of the total foreign and local tourist arrivals in the region. “This is understandable due to the island’s limited facilities for tourists,” she added. Pernes accounted the data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) that showed Siquijor province had only 62 tourism establishments and 417 rooms in 2012—representing less than two percent of the facilities in the entire region. “Which is why Coco Grove’s investments in new facilities really matter a lot in terms of being able to draw in more tourists to the province,” she said. Admitting the island’s limitations, in size and on other industries like agriculture and manufacturing, Pernes sees the need to focus on the province’s strength— tourism, which she said requires good and efficient infrastructure. The island offers some of the best attractions and because it is an island, it needs to develop its seaports and airport to make it accessible to the rest of the country and the rest of the world, she said. S h e t h a n k e d B u d g e t
Congresswoman Marie Anne Pernes in her keynote speech at Coco Grove Resort, San Juan, Siquijor that was also graced by Budget Sec. Butch Abad (below), his family (upper right), and NAPC Sec. Joel Rocamora ( seated center right)
Secretary Butch Abad for coming to Siquijor to see for himself what and how the island needs budget for expansion and development. She added that she also lobbied with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Secretary Abaya, to include in the list of projects for development the Ports of Larena and Siquijor. “Kung mapapalawak at mapapaganda po ang ating seaports, maeenganyo po ang mga shipping company na magdagdag ng barko—sana yung mas bago at modern—na bibiyahe mula Dumaguete at Cebu,” she said. Pernes included in her request to the national government the improvement of airport which according to her gained support from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in region 7. If all these come true, she said tourists will all the more increase and investors will be attracted to bring in more development for the province. “Hangad po natin na mailagay sa mapa ng turismo ang Siquijor. It is our goal that Siquijor be among the “new, exotic destinations” for local and international tourism. Coco Grove had done its share. We are looking for more investments in tourism—and assistance from the National Government for the development of vital infrastructure, Pernes concluded. Budget Secretary Butch Abad graced the grand opening with National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Joel Rocamora, representative Pernes and several other provincial and local personalities, expats, resorts owners, tourism stakeholders in Siquijor and Negros Oriental. Cocogrove is the biggest accommodation establishment o w n e d b y M r. & M r s . M i k e B u t l e r a n d t h e f i r s t t o b e a c c r e d i t e d by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Siquijor. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DOST, PDRRMC strengthens disaster mitigation, prevention
by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing
SIQUIJOR (PIA)-- The Department of Science and Technology and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) here is strengthening disaster mitigation and prevention following threats of extreme weather events besetting the country. The “Training on Basic Life Support and First Aide in Support to Disaster Mitigation and Prevention” was conducted earlier after seeing the need for extensive preparation that was also heightened with the onset of typhoon season in December. The first batch was held recently at the Provincial Capitol where personnel from the PNP-Siquijor Provincial Police Office (SPPO), provincial and municipal disaster risk reduction and management officers (PDRRMO/MDRRMO) took part. Provincial governor Zaldy S. Villa who graced the event expressed support in the activity and emphasized the importance of the training. Prov’l Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario E. de la Peña, in his message, also stressed the need for the training and how such training was formulated. According to Engr. de la Peña, the training provides practical guidance on properly responding to victims of disasters and calamities based on the basic life support and first aid programs of the Philippine National Red Cross. “We are now experiencing extreme weather conditions in the country, I hope that this training will be of help to you and the general populace,” he said. He further said that the activity is also aimed at narrowing the gap between men and women who have access to technology trainings in response to DOST 7’s statistics showing that more women availed of its trainings in the region. Meanwhile, Prov’l Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Blezela Mae Omictin echoed the same observation. She said personnel from PNP, PDRRMO and MDRRMO who serve as front liners during disasters should know how to respond properly especially in terms of basic life support. Mr. Stephen Fuentes, current staff in the Safety Services Division of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Siquijor Chapter, served as resource speaker and trainer.
Barangay Captain Dr. Peck D. Cortes in his welcome message during the briefing about the Training on Barangay Information System (BIS).
Actual demo on Basic Life Support and First Aid conducted by Stephen Fuentes of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) conducting
Comprehensive lectures and hands-on exercises on basic life support and first aid were conducted. Simulations of events during disasters highlighted the event on the 4th day. At the end of the course, participants are expected to have increased knowledge of basic life support, learn basic first aid techniques and respond effectively and efficiently to gender needs during disasters. The 2nd batch started last November 19 and finished on November 22, 2014. The final batch was scheduled
on November 26-29, 2014. Each batch is composed of 25 male participants. To note, the provincial director of DOST here is the Chairperson for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The DOST has given the PDRRMC technological assistance worth Php 380,000.00 through its Grant-in-Aide Program in order to enhance its disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities. (RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST-Siquijor)
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SMEs vital to inclusive growth in RP particularly the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), can benefit from the ASEAN integration. Maglaya cited the passage of Negosyo Act 2014 or Republic Act No. 10644 which aims to strengthen SMEs by making their services more accessible with the creation of Negosyo Centers. “The law requires the establishment of Negosyo Centers in provinces, cities, and municipalities. We’re working closely with the local government units, the mayors, the governors and the private sector on this,” said Maglaya.
She said Cebu is one of the six pilot areas where Negosyo Centers will be put up this year. Around 100 centers will be put up around the country next year. Maglaya said they’re also looking into amending trade rules and regulations to make them more suitable not just for big businesses but also for SMEs. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meetings next year will also carry the SME agenda, the trade official added. United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
‘ CEBU CITY, December 2 (PIA) --- With the Philippines eyeing to maximize economic gains under the ASEAN regional integration, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is aggressively pushing the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) agenda to ensure that local enterprises can participate in the regional and global value chains. In a regional multi-stakeholders briefing on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) held today in Cebu City, DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Malaya said that rural communities,
“RICEponsable AKO,” shout the agricultural workers during the RUN to be RICEponsible program in Maria, Siquijor as one of the Department of Agriculture’s advocacy to promote awareness on the importance of saving rice in order to save life.
Senior Adviser Dr. Ramon Clarete in his message stressed that SMEs are b e c o m i n g an important part of trade agreements. “There can be no inclusive growth without the SMEs,” he said. T h e briefing held at Marco Polo Hotel gathered more than 200 stakeholders from the private sector, government, and the academe. It aims to improve understanding of AEC and the Philippines’ part in ASEAN integration and how to harmonize the public and private efforts in making sure the country can maximize economic gains under AEC, according to DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte. (rmn/ PIA Cebu)
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Cebuano News
PAGASA, mi-aghat sa publiko sa pag-download sa Project NOAH ug ARKO mobile apps
MANILA (PIA)--Gi-aghat sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) ang publiko sa pag-download og mga mobile application nga may kalabotan sa weather forecasting. Matud pa ni PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, makatabang og daku sa pagpangandam matag bagyo kun adunay Project NOAH ug ARKO application sa cellphone. Pinaagi sa Project NOAH, makakuha og weather updates gikan sa PAGASA, mahibaw-an ang lokasyon sa bagyo ug uban pang impormasyon. Ang ARKO usab ang maghatag og ispesipikong lugar nga posibleng bahaon o gibaha na. Dugang pa ni Aurelio nga bisan ang radyo ug TV pa gihapon ang pinakadali o accessible nga makuhaan og impormasyon sa panahon, kun naa sa gawas ug walay radyo o TV, mahimong makakuha og updates pinaagi sa mga nahisgotang mobile app aron malikayan ang katalagman. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/ article/view/1081417587549/cebuanonews-pagasa-mi-aghat-sa-publiko-sapag-download-sa-project-noah-ug-arkomobile-apps#sthash.vKb60ZDz.dpuf
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is the Island of Siquijor’s first electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Siquijor Information Center and the DOST - Provincial Science and Technology Center. It contains snippets of information about Siquijor, Central Visayas and the Philippine Government.
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